Major Barbara

A detailed Summary of Major Barbara


I believe there are two different types of people: those who view matters realistically and those who view matters idealistically. Realists only concern themselves with practical issues rather than those that are imaginary. They attempt to see things the way they really are and have the tendency to face facts. Idealists have thoughts or behaviors based on concepts of things as they should be. They try to see things the way they would want them to be in order to feel contempt about impractical visions. When I was younger: I viewed many things idealistically more so than I do now. For instance, the importance of praying before every meal was stressed in my church and at home. Consequently, I thought that it was absolutely necessary to pray before eating. Currently, however, I see this as being an impractical obstacle for putting yummies in my tummy. In the play Major Barbara, one of the primary conflicts is idealism versus realism. Barbara Undershaft, one of the main characters, faces this conflict as an inner struggle. I feel that she is idealistic throughout much of the play but becomes more realistic towards the end.

One aspect that Barbara views idealistically is in her religion. She is a salvationist who thinks th


At the end of the play Barbara understands her religion more realistically. She realizes that people went to the shelter because they needed food. Barbara also gains the knowledge that Cusins joined the army in order to get closer to her. This is indicated at the end of the play when Cusins openly admits to doing so. I think that Barbara's biggest change is in her approach to religion. When she was thinking like an idealist she believed that simply saving someone would bring about the most effective change in his or her life. Now that Barbara is thinking realistically, she comes to basic understanding that there is a higher power than money, but money must come first. Her father proves this to her when he explains how Peter would be a Christian as long as he was receiving a paycheck. If the weekly check disappeared: he would probably turn back to his principles. This shows that it is easier to thank God when the income is good and steady. I believe that Barbara changed her perspective for similar reasons as I did. I changed my views because of being exposed to what really drives people to do certain things, like attending church. I have also seen the various advantages of having money. Barbara always saw one side of the coin at the shelter because she only worked with

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 869
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English

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